Capsule filling device



4 Sheets-Sheet l J. V. OHARA ET AL Filed Oct. 31, 1939 CAPSULE FILLING DEVICE May 14, 1940.

INVENTOR.

James VOWara & I

022C046 LI KOZZL'H ATTORNEYS y 4, 1940. J. v. OHARA ET AL 2.200.244

CAPSULE FILLING'DEVICE Filed Oct. 31, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS May 14, 1940. J. v. O'HARA ET AL CAPSULE FILLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 31, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS 2 .n Q Mn mw J 1 i Q. Q I I W] m J .l J m Q QE May 14, 1940. J. v. OHARA ET AL CAPSULE FILLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 31, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 8 g m mm M "Q m I! v glvvwum m 3 g my 2 n 5 -I\\\\ R M ww NR Cm mm 0% 0 J Md h M mm wpw a w ATTORNEYS Patented May 14, 1940 CAPSULE FILLING DEVICE James V. OHara and Jacob J. Kotzin, Philadelphia, Pa.;' said O'Hara minor to said Kotzin Application October 31, 1939,-Sefi81 No. 302,0 20 Claims.' (01. 226-40).

This invention relates to capsule filling devices and has as its objects the production of a capsule filling device which will be easy to manufacture, assemble,. and to use. y

We attain these objects by making a capsule filling device which comprises a base member; a

capsule supporting bar which extends upwardly from said base member; a sliding pier positioned at each of the'ends of said base member, each of said sliding piers having at least two vertically spaced horizontal platforms for supporting a capsule receiving bar in two successive vertically spaced positions; a capsule receiving bar mounted for vertical movement to at least two successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar,

each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being supported .by the upper of said horizontal platforms in the first of said successive positions and by the other of said horizontal platforms in the second of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of the successive positions of said capsule receiving bar. The horizontal platforms in the piers may overlie each other in which instance each pier is preferably made of two blocks one movable relatively to the other,

as shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 11 to 15, or they may be offset relatively to each other in which case each pier is made in the form of a step the treads of which constitute the horizontal platforms, as, shown in Figures 16 to 20, 21,- and 22. The capsule receiving bar is preferablymade with a slot in the lower face thereof of sufilcient width and length to receive the capsule supporting bar and of a depth either equal to or slightly less than the height of said capsule, supporting bar. The height of the capsule receiving bar at each of its ends is such that when the capsule receiving bar is resting upon the uppermost pier platform the distance from the upper surface of the capsule receiving bar to the upper surface of the capsule supporting baris equal to the height of one of the capsule jackets.

For. the purpose of illustrating our invention,

' we have shown in the drawings'which form a part hereof two of the many forms into which'our inventive concepts may be incorporated.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of one of the. many modifications of our novel capsule filling device. v I

Figure 2 is a side view of said device.

Figure 3 is an end view of said device.

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4' 'of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the capsule redevice.

ceiving bars which is used as an element of said Figure 6 is aview taken along the line i6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an end view of the capsule receiving 5 bar shown in Figure 5. v Figure 8 is a plan view of another of the capsule receiving bars which is used as an element of my device.

Figure 9 is aview taken along the line 9-41 of l0 s Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an end view of the capsule receiving bar shown in-Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a front view partly in section of the capsule filling device shownin Figures 1 to 4 and 1 shows the respective positions of the elements at the end of the first step in the capsule filling operation.

Figure 12 is a view taken similarly to Figure 11 and shows the respective positions of the elements at the end of the second step in the capsule filling operation.

Figure 13 is a view taken-similarly to Figure 11 and shows the respectivepositions of the elements at the end of the third step in the capsule filling operation.

' Figure 14 is a view taken similarly to Figure 11- and shows the respective positions of the elements at the end of the operation.

fourth step in the capsule filling '80 Figure 15 is a section taken along the line I5l5 of- Figure Figure 16 is a section taken along the line Iii-l6 of Figure 11.

Figure 17 is a front view partly in section of another of the many possible modifications of our novel capsule filling device. The respective elements are shown as they appear at the end of the first step in the capsule filling operatiom Figure 18 is a sectionof the left end of the device shown in Figure 17 taken along the same line as that on which Figure 17- was taken and shows the positions of the respective elements at the end of the second step in the capsule filling operation. Only! one end of the device is shown to 5 avoid needless repetition of elements and to show the remaining parts on as large a scale as possible. Figure 19 is a view taken similarly to Figure 18 and shows the respective positions of the elements at the end of the third step in the capsule filling operation.

Figure 20 is a ,view taken similarly to Figure 18 and shows the respective positions of the elements at the end of the operation.

fourth step in the capsule filling a in Figure 18.

side Walls I3.

Figure 24 is a bottom view of the major portion of the fragment shown in Figure 17.

Figure 25 is a front view of the dividing wall or dam which is sometimes used as an elementof our capsule filling device.

Figure 26 is an end view of the dam.

Figure 27 is a front view of the temp which we use in filling the capsules.

Figure 28 is an end view of the tamp.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar parts, reference numeral I denotes-the capsule filling device shown in Figures 1 to 16.

The capsule filling device 1 comprises a base member 2; a sliding pier housing 3 positioned at each of the ends 4 of said base member; a slidingpier 5 mounted in each of said sliding pier housings 3; a capsule supporting bar 6 mounted in said base member 2; a capsule receiving bar 1 mounted for vertical movement to at least two successive positions (shown in Figures 12 to 14) relatively to said capsule receiving bar and supported in-the first of said successive positions (shown in Figures 1 to 4, ll, 12 and 15) by said sliding piers 5; and a trough 8 which is detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar by the thumb screws 9 which are-received within" the threaded apertures III of the capsule receiving bar when the capsule receiving bar is in the first of its successive positions.

Each of the sliding pier housings 3 consists of a roof I I, a rear wall 12, two side walls 13 each of which extends beyond the inner edge 15 of the roof H, and a floor I l. The roof H, the rear wall I 2, the two side walls l3 and the floor [4 combine to bound and form a roofed chamber I6 which terminates in a roofless chamber l1. The roof H, the two side walls I 3 and the rear wall l2 are cast as a single element which is attached to the base member 2 by means of the screws 18 which extend through suitable apertures formed in the base member 2 and which are received within suitable threaded apertures formed in the The floor I! of each sliding pier housing 3 is formed by one of the ends 4 of the base member 2.

Each of the sliding piers 5 consists of a base block 20 mounted for sliding movement in the chambers I 6--|1, a spring 2| which is positioned in the chamber l6 and normally urges the base block 20 to assume the position shown in Figures 1, 4, 11, 12 and 13, a yoke 22 which is fixed to the base block 20, a secondary block 23 mounted for sliding movement upon said base block 20, and a rod 24 which is attached at one of its ends to said secondary block 23, which extends through said yoke 22, thence through a suitable aperture formed in the rear wall 12, and which has the knob 25 threadably attached to the other of its ends.

The capsule receiving bar 1 is of such a length that it will be snugly received between the end walls 15 of the roofless chamber l1 and of such a Width so that it will be snugly received between the side walls 26 of said roofless chamber I1. The capsule receiving bar 1 has formed therein near each of the ends 21 thereof a threaded aperture ill which receives the threaded end of the thumb screw 9. The capsule receiving bar 1 also has formed therein'intermediate the ends 21 thereof a plurality of spaced capsule receiving bores 28. The capsule receiving bores are of a diameter sufficient to permit the capsule jackets to be snugly received therein. The capsule receiving bar 1 has further formed therein for the entire length thereof the slot 29 which extends upwardly from the lower face 30 of said bar. The slot 29 is of a width suflicient to receive the capsule supporting bar 6 and of a depth which is either equal to or somewhat less than the height which extends above the member 2. The

the capsule supporting bar 6 upper surface 3| of the base height of the capsule receiving bar 1 at each of its 21 is such that when said ends of the capsule receiving bar are resting upon the uppermost platform 32 of the piers 5 the distance fromv the upper surface 33 of the capsule receiving bar 1 to the supporting surface 34 of the capsule sup porting bar 6 is substantially equal to the height h of one of the capsule jackets 7'. (It is to be noted that the uppermost platform 32 of each pier 5 is the upper surface of the secondary block 23 of said pier 5.) We prefer to make all of the capsule receiving bores 28 in any capsule receiving bar of the same diameter in order that it may receive capsules of the same size. We therefore provide a set of bars 1 for selective use in combination with the other elements of our capsule filling device in order to permit the filling of capsules of differing size. (Note: Two capsule receiving bars of the set are shown in Figures 5 to 9.) Since the height of the capsule jackets 1' varies with the diameter, it follows that the distance h will vary for capsules of differing diameter. To make the distance from the upper surface 33 of any of the series of the capsule receiving bars 1 to the supporting surface 34 of the capsule supporting bar 6 substantially equal to the varying height h of the capsule jackets a of differing diameter, we .vary the height of the ends of each of the capsule supporting bars 1 of the series. We accomplish this by making a cutout 35 in the lower surface of eachof the capsule receiving bars 1 except that of the largest diameter. In Figures 8 to we show a capsule receiving bar for capsule jackets of the greatest diameter and in Figures 5 .to 7 we illustrate one Of the capsule receiving bars for capsule jackets.

of smaller diameter. The length Z of each cutout 35 is the same in all of the capsule receiving bars in the set, and is sufiicient to permit the .Wall 31 of the cutout 35 to clear the wall 38 of the secondary block 23 when the surface 39 of the cutout 35 is resting upon the upper pier platform 32 and to clear the wall 40 of the base block 20 when the surface 39 of the cutout 35 is resting upon the lower platform 4| of the piers 5. (It is to be noted that the lower platform-ll of each pier 5 is the upper surface of the base block 20 of said pier 5.) The depth of the cutout 35 varies in the different capsule receiving bars of the set and is such that when the surface 39 of the cutout for any particular capsule receiving bar 1 of the set rests upon the uppermost pier platform 32 the distance from the upper surface 33 of that particular capsule receiving bar to the supporting surface 34 of the capsule supporting bar 6 will be substantially equal to the height h of the particular capsule jacket '7' which is of the diameter which is to be received in the particular capsule' receiving bore 28. The cutouts 35 in the capsule receiving bars 1 of any particular set will therefore vary inversely to the diameter of the capsule receiving bores 28. The same result could be obsired to fill capsules of the diametershown in.

Figures 11 to 15 inclusive, then one selects that capsule receiving bar I of the set having the desired capsule receiving bore 28 and places it in the position shown in Figure 12 where each of the ends 21 of the capsule receiving bar 1 rest upon the uppermost platform 32 of one of the piers 5. (Note: For the purpose of this particular step, the jackets J are to be read out of the drawings.) Thereafter, one places the capsule jackets J within the capsule receiving bores causing them to assume the position shown in Figures 12 and 11 where the lower end of each capsule jacket J rests upon and is supported by the supporting surface 34 of the capsule supporting bar 6 and where the rim of each capsule jacket J is substantially flush-with the upper surface 33 of the capsule receiving bar. (NotefFor the purpose of this particular step, the jackets J in Fig-' ure 12 are to be understood asbeing empty.) Thereafter, one places the trough 8 upon the capsule receiving bar I in the position shown in Figure 11 and attaches the trough 8 to the capsule receiving bar I by manipulating the thumb screws 9. Thereafter, the powder which is to be inserted in the capsule jackets J is poured into the trough 8 and packed firmly into the jackets by pressing with a spatula (not shown) or with a tamp 65 such as is shown in Figures 26 and 21. At the end of this operation, the capsule jackets J will be full of powder and will look as they appear in Figure 12. (Note: If the number of capsules which are to be filled should be less than the number of bores 28 in the capsule receiving bar 'I, then, before any powder is poured into the trough 8, the dam 64 may be placed in'said trough 8 at the point where the number of. bores is equal to the number of capsules desired as shown in Figure 2.) Thereafter,

the trough 8 is removed and the excess powder receiving bar I.

dusted off, leaving thev elements as shown in Figure 12. Thereafter, each of the secondary blocks 23 is caused to move from its position shown in Figures 11 and 12 to that shown in Figure 13 by pulling upon the rod 24 in the direction of the arrow A. This movement removes the supporting platform 32 (which is the upper'surlace of the secondary block 23) from under the ends'2'I of the capsule receiving bar. As a result, the capsule receiving bar drops from its position shown in Figure 12 to that shown in Figure 13, thereby causing the rim of the capsule jackets J to protrude above the surface 33 of the capsule (At this point, the capsule caps C are to be read out of Figure 13.) Thereafter, one places the capsule caps C over the capsule jackets J in the manner shown in Figure 13. (This is madeeasy because a substantial part of the capsule jacket J has been caused to protrude above the surface 33 of the capsule receiving bar.) Thereafter, each of the base blocks 20 is caused to move from its position shown in Figures 11 to 13 to that shown in Figure 14 by pulling upon the rod 24 in the direction of the arrow A which causes the face 42 of the secondary block 23 to push against the yoke 22 which is attached to the base block 20 and force the base block to move inwardly againstthe pressure of the spring 2|. This movement removes the supporting platform 4| (which is the upper surface of the base block 20) from under the ends 21 of the capsule receiving bar I. As a result, the capsule receiving bar "I drops from its position shown in Figure 13 to that shown in Figure 14, wherein the capsule supporting bar 6 has fully entered the slot 29 in the capsule receiving bar I, and wherein the capsule supporting surface 34 contacts the roof 43 of the slot 23 formed in said capsule receiving bar I; This causes the maximum amount of the capsule jacket J necessary for capping to protrude above the surface 34 of the capsule receiving bar I. (At this point in the filling operation, the capsule jacket J .is to be read as being in the position shown in Figure 14 and the capsule cap C as being in the position shown in Figure 13.) Thereafter, pressure is exerted upon the capsule cap C in the direction of the arrow B causing said capsule cap C to move from its position shown in Figure 13 to that shown in Figure 14, thereby completing the filling of the capsule. The filled capsules are now removed from the capsule receiving bar and placed in a suitable container. Thereafter, the capsule receiving bar I is removed from the base member 2 and placed in a suitable container. When the capsule receiving bar I .is removed, the base block 20 will be pushed by the spring 2| from its position shown in Figure 14 to that shown in Figures 11 to 13.

The capsule filling device 45 shown in Figures 17 to 23 differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 16 only in the following particulars:

(1) The base member 2 and the sliding pier housing 3 are cast as a unit which is designated by the reference numeral 46. The base 41 is the equivalent of the base member 2, the sliding pier housings 48 are the equivalents of the sliding pier housings 3, and the chambers 49 and 50 are the equivalents of the chambers lfiand i1.

(2) Step-like sliding piers 5| have been substituted for the two block piers 5. The tread 52 of. the upper step'of each pier 5i is the uppermost platform of said pier and the tread53 of the lower step of each sliding pier 5| is the lower platform of said pier. The thumb screw 54 which extends through a suitable aperture 44 formed in the rear wall 55 of the chamber 49 and which is threadably attached to the sliding pier 5| is the. equivalent of the rod 24 and knob 25. The spring 55 which is mounted on the thumb screw shank I9 within the chamber 49 is the equivalent of the spring 2|.

(3) A capsule receiving bar 51 having a lip 58 extending upwardly therefrom from each of the edges thereof has been substituted for the cap-- sule receiving bar I.

(4) A trough 59 having a groove 60 formed therein along each of the lower edges thereof which receives the lip 58 has been substituted for the trough 8. The lip 58 and groove 60 combine to insure a tighter fit at the juncture line of the trough and the capsule receiving bar thereby reducing to a minimum the tendency of the powder to sift out from the trough along the juncture line. a

In order to facilitate the insertion of each of the piers 41 into its housing 48, the base 41 of the capsule filling device 45 has formed therein immediately beneath each of the chambers 49'50 is therefore our desire that the claims which form a part hereof and which define our invention should be limited only by the prior art.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and useful is:

1. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier carried by said base I member at each of the ends thereof, eachof said sliding piers having at least two vertically spaced horizontal platforms for supporting an end of a capsule receiving bar in two successive vertically spaced positions; a capsule receiving bar mounted for vertical movement to at least two successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar. each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being supported by the upper of said horizontal platforms in the first of said two successive positions and by the other of said horizontal platforms in'the second of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of the successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

2. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier carried by said base member at each of the ends thereof, each of said sliding piers having two vertically spaced platforms for supporting an end of a capsule receiving bar in two successive vertically spaced positions; a capsule receiving bar having a slot formed therein in the lower face thereof for receiving said capsule supporting bar mounted for vertical movement to three successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, said capsule receiving bar being supported by the upper of said platforms in the first of said three successive positions, by the other of said platforms in the second of said three successive positions, and receiving said capsule supporting bar within said slot in the third of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of said three successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

3. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar extending upwardly from said base member; a sliding pier carried by said base member at each of the ends of said capsule supporting bar, each of said sliding piers having two horizontal platforms in stepped formation for supporting a capsule receiving bar in two successivesvertically spaced positions; a capsule receiving bar mounted for vertical movement to atleast two successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being supported by the upper of said horizontal platforms in the first of said two successive positions and by the other of said horizontal platforms in the second of said successive positions: and a trough detachably attache'dto said capsule receiving bar in the first of the successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

4. A capsule filling device comprising a base platforms instepped relation for supporting a I capsule receiving bar in two successive vertically spaced positions; a capsule receiving bar having a slot formed therein for receiving said capsule supporting bar mounted for vertical movement to three successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, said capsule receiving bar being supported by the upper of said platforms in the first of said three successive positions, by the other of said platforms in the second of said three successive positions, and receiving said capsule supporting bar within said slot in the third of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of its said three successive positions.

5. A capsule filling device comprising a base i member; a capsule supporting bar extending upwardly from said base member; a sliding pier carried by said base member at each of the ends of said capsule supporting bar, each of said sliding piers comprising a base block slidably mounted upon said base member and a secondary block slidably mounted upon said base block; a capsule receiving bar mounted for vertical movement to at least two successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being supported by the upper surface of said secondary block in the first of said two successive positions and by the upper surface of said base block in the second of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of the successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

6. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar extending upwardly from said base member; a sliding pier carried by said base member at each of the ends thereof, each of said sliding piers comprising a base block slidably mounted upon said base member and a secondary, block slidably mounted upon said base block; a capsule receiving bar having a slot formed therein for receiving said capsule supporting bar mounted for vertical movement to three successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, said capsule receiving bar being supported by the upper surface of said secondary block in the first of said three successive positions, by the upper surface of said base block in the second of said three successive positions, and receiving said capsule supporting bar within said slot in the third of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of the said three successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

7. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier housing positioned upon said base -member at each of the ends thereof; a pier slidably mounted in each of said sliding pier housings, each of said slidably mounted piers having at least two vertically spaced horizontal platforms for supporting an end of a capsulereceiving bar in two successive vertically spaced positions} a capsule receiving bar mounted for vertical movement to at least two successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being supported by the upper of said horizontal platforms in the first of said two successive positions and by the other of said I ill horizontal platforms in the second of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of the successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

8. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier housing positioned upon said base member at each of the ends thereof; a pier slidably mounted in each of said sliding pier housings, each of said slidably mounted piers having two vertically spaced platforms for supporting an end of a capsule receiving bar in two succemive vertically spaced positions; a capsule receiving bar having a slot formed therein in the lower face thereof for receiving said capsule supporting bar mounted for vertical movement to three successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, said capsule receiving bar being. supported by the upper of said platforms in the first of said three successive positions, by the other of said platforms in the second of said three successive positions, and receiving said capsule supporting bar within said slot in the third of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of said three successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

9. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by:

said base member; a sliding pier housing positioned upon said base member at each of the ends of said horizontal bar; a pier slidably mounted in each of said sliding pier housings, each 'of said slidably mounted piers having at least two horizontal platforms in stepped formation for supporting an end of a capsule receiving bar in at least two successive vertically spaced l positions; a capsule receiving bar' mounted for vertical movement to at least two successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being supported by'the upper of said horizontal platforms in and by the other of said horizontal platforms in the second of said successive positions; and a 'trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of the successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

10. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier housing positioned upon said base member at each of the ends thereof; a pier slidably mounted in each of said sliding pier housings, each of said slidably mounted piers having two horizontal platforms in stepped formation for supporting an end of a capsule receiving bar intwo successive vertically spaced positions; a capsule receiving bar having a slot formed therein in the lower face thereof for receiving said capsule supporting bar mounted for vertical movement to three successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, said capsule receiving bar being supported by the upper of said platforms in the first of said three successive positions, by the other of said platforms in the second of said three successive positions, and receiving said capsule supporting bar within said slot in the third of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of said three successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

11. A capsule filling device comprising a base the first of said successive positions member; a capsule supporting bar extending upwardly from said base member; a sliding pier housing positioned upon said base member at each of the ends thereof; a pier slidably mounted in each of said sliding pier housings, each of said sliding piers comprising a base blockslidably mounted upon said base member and a secondary .block slidably mounted upon said base block; a

capsule receiving bar mounted for vertical movement to at least two successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being supported by the upper surface of said secondary block in the first of said two successive positions and by the upper surface of said base block in the second of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of the successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

12. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar extending upwardly from said base member; a sliding pier housing positioned upon said base member at each of the ends of said capsule supporting bar;

a pier slidably mounted in each of said sliding pier housings, each of said sliding piers comprising a base block slidably mounted upon said base member and a secondary block slidably mounted upon said base block; a capsule receiving three successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

13. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier housing having formed therein a roofed chamber which terminates in a roofless chamber positioned upon said base member at each of the ends of said capsule supporting bar; a pier mounted for sliding movement in the roofed and roofless chambers of each of said sliding pier housings, each of said slidably mounted piers having two vertically spaced platforms for supporting an end of a capsule receiving bar in two successive vertically spaced positions; resilient means positioned in each of said roofed chambers and exerting a force upon the slidably mounted pier in said roofed chamber in a direction which causes said pier to assume a position where said pier extends into the roofless chamber in which said chamber terminates; a capsule receiving bar mounted for vertical movement to at least two successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being positioned in one of said roofless chambers and being supported by one of the upper of said platforms in the first of said successive positions and by the other of said platforms in the second of said three successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of said three successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

14. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base chamber; a sliding pier housing having formed therein a roofed chamber which terminates in a roofless chamber positioned upon said base member'at each of the ends of said capsule supporting bar; a pier mounted for sliding movement in the roofed and roofless chambers of each of said sliding pier housings, each of said slidably mounted piers having two vertically spaced platforms for supporting an end of a capsule receiving bar in two successive vertically spaced positions; resilient means positioned in each of said roofed chambers and exerting a force upon the slidably mounted pier in said roofed chamber in a direction which causes said pier to asume a position where said pier extends into the roofless chamber in which said roofed chamber terminates; a capsule receiving bar, having a slot formed therein in the lower face thereof for receiving said capsule supporting bar, mounted for vertical movement to three successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being positioned in one of said roofless chambers and being supported by one of the upper of said platforms in the first of said three successive positions and by the other of said platforms in the second of said three successive positions, and said capsule receiving bar receiving said capsule supporting bar within said slot in the third of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of said three successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

15. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier housing having formed therein a roofed chamber which terminates in a roofless chamber positioned upon said base member at each of the ends of said capsule supporting bar; a pier mounted for sliding movement in the roofed and roofless chambers of each of said sliding pier housings, each of said slidably mounted piers consisting of a base block mounted for sliding movement upon said base member, a secondary block mounted for sliding movement upon said base block, a yoke carried by said base block, and a rod which is attached to said secondary block at one of its ends, which extends through said yoke, through a wall of said roofed chamber and terminates on the outside of said pier housing; resilient means positioned in each of said roofed chambers and exerting a force upon. said base block in a direction which causes said base block to assume a position where said base block extends into the roofless chamber in which said chamber terminates; a capsule receiving bar, having a slot formed therein in the lower face thereof for receiving said capsule supporting bar, mounted for vertical movement to three successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being positioned in. one of said roofless chambers and being supported by the upper surface of one of said secondary blocks in the first of said three successive positions and by the upper surface of one of said base blocksin the second of said three successive positions, and said capsule receiving bar receiving said capsule supporting bar within said slot in the third of said successive positions; and a.trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of said three successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

16. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier ho is. mving formed therein a roofed chamber which terminates in a roofless chamber positioned upon said base member at each of the ends of said capsule supporting bar; a pier mounted for sliding movement in the roofed and roofless chambers of each of said sliding pier housings, each of said slidably mounted piers having two horizontal platforms in stepped formation for supporting an end of a capsule receiving bar in two successive vertically spaced positions; resilient means positioned in each of said roofed chambers and exerting a force upon the slidably mounted pier in said roofed chamber in a direction which causes said pier to assume a position where said pier extends into the roofless chamber in which said chamber terminates; a rod attached to each of said sliding piers and terminating on the outside of each of said roofed chambers for moving said pier in a direction against the direction of the force exerted by said resilient means; a capsule receiving bar, having a slot formed therein in the lower face thereof for, receiving said capsule supporting bar, mounted for vertical movementto at least two successive positions relatively to said capsule' supporting bar, each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being positioned in one of said roofless chambers and being supported by one of the upper of said platforms in the first of said three successive positions and by the other of said platforms in the second of said three successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in the first of said three successive positions of said capsule receiving bar.

17. A capsule filling device comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier housing having formed therein a roofed chamber which terminates in a roofless chamber positioned upon said base member at each of the ends of said capsule supporting bar; a pier mounted for sliding movement in the roofed and roofless chambers of each of said sliding pier housings, each of said slidably mounted piers having two horizontal platforms in stepped formation for sup porting an end of a. capsule receiving bar in two successive vertically spaced positions; a rod attached to each of said piers and extending through the rear wall of the sliding pier housing in which said pier is housed and terminating on the outside of said sliding pier housing; a helical spring mounted upon each of said rods between the point of attachment of the rod to its respective pier and the rear wall of its respective sliding pier housing for exerting a force upon the pier with which it is to be associated which causes said pier to assume a position where said pier extends into the roofless chamber in which said chamber terminates; a capsule receiving bar, having a slot formed therein in the lower face thereof for receiving said capsule supporting bar, mounted for vertical movement to three successive positions relatively to said capsule supporting bar, each of the ends of said capsule receiving bar being positioned in one of said roofless chambers and being supported by one of the upper of said platforms in the first 'of said three successive positions and by the other of said platforms in the second of said three successive positions, and said capsule receiving bar receiving said capsule supporting bar Within said slot in the third of said successive positions; and a trough detachably attached to said capsule receiving bar in thefirst of said three successive positions of said capsule receiving bar. I

18. An element of a capsule filling device said element comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier housing having formed therein a roofed chamber which terminates in a roofless chamber positioned upon said base member at each of the ends of said capsule supporting bar; a pier mounted for sliding movement in the roofed and roofless chambers of each of said sliding pier housings, each of said slidably mounted piers having stepped formation capsule receiving bar in two successive vertically spaced positions; a rod attached to each of said piers and extending through the rear wall ofthe sliding pier housing in which said pier is housed and terminating on the outside of said sliding pier housing; and a helical spring mounted upon each ofv said rods between the point of attachment of the rod to its respective pier and the rear wall of its respective sliding pier housing for exerting a force upon the pier with which it is to be associated which causes said pier to assume a position where said pier extends into the roofless chamber in which said chamber terminates.

19. An element of a capsule filling device, said element comprising a base member; a capsule supporting bar carried by said base member; a sliding pier housing having formed therein a roofed chamber which terminates in a roofless chamber positioned upon said base member at two horizontal platforms in. for supporting an end of aeach of the ends of said capsule supporting bar; a pier mounted for sliding movement in the roofed and roofless chambers of each of said sliding pier housings, each of said slidably mounted piers consisting of a base block mounted for sliding movement upon said base member, a secondary block mounted for sliding movement upon sa'd base block, a yoke carried by said base block, and a rod which is attached to said secondary block at one of its ends, which extends through said yoke, through a wall of said roofed chamber and terminates on the outside of said pier housing; and resilient means positioned in each of said roofed chambers and exerting a force upon said base block in a direction which causes said base block to assume a position where said base block extends into the roofless chamber in which said chamber terminates.

20. A capsule receiving .bar for a capsulefilling device, said capsule receiving bar consisting of a body member having a threaded aperture formed therein near each of the endsthereof, having a plurality of capsule jacket receiving bores formed therein intermediate said threaded apertures; and having formed therein a supporting bar receiving slot with extends upwardly for substantially the entire length thereof from the lower face of saidbody member.

JAMES V. OHARA. JACOB J. KOTZIN. 

